Push-Push Voltage Controlled Dielectric Resonator Oscillator Using a Broadside Coupler

Abstract

A push-push voltage controlled dielectric resonator oscillator (VCDRO) with a modified frequency tuning structure using broadside couplers is investigated. The push-push VCDRO designed at 16 GHz is manufactured using a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology to reduce the circuit size. The frequency tuning structure using a broadside coupler is embedded in a layer of the A6 substrate by using the LTCC process. Experimental results show that the fundamental and third harmonics are suppressed above 15 dBc and 30 dBc, respectively, and the phase noise of push-push VCDRO is -97.5 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 100 kHz from the carrier. The proposed frequency tuning structure has a tuning range of 4.46 MHz over a control voltage of 1?11 V. This push-push VCDRO has a miniature size of 15 mm×15 mm. The proposed design and fabrication techniques for a push-push oscillator seem to be applicable in many space and commercial VCDRO products.